Marvel To Make 'Guardians of the Galaxy' In 2014 As A Direct Lead-In To 'The Avengers 2'

Guardians of the Galaxy—a 31st Century group of superheroes that protect the Milky Way galaxy within the Marvel comics universe—appears to be the newest big Marvel property that will be hitting the big screen. What’s more, the film will apparently take place within the same continuity of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and The Avengers, and will act as a semi-prequel to The Avengers 2.

Warning: Some Avengers spoilers ahead (if you’re one of the three people who didn’t see the movie).

As /Film notes, earlier this week, Marvel Studios purchased several domain names “for all kinds of merchandise” related to Guardians of the Galaxy, a project that Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige “has admitted is in the works,” with Marvel going so far as stating that the post-credits teaser scene in The Avengers (with Marvel mega-villain Thanos) was meant to be a direct tease for Guardians of the Galaxy.

According to Latino Review, Guardians of the Galaxy will be set in the far future, and will concern the team of superheroes and extraterrestrials battling an evil species called the Badoom. Apparently, Thanos will be a Big Bad in the film and, during the course of the film, the Guardians will travel back to the present and rub elbows with members of the Avengers. It is also noted that the film will be a direct set-up for The Avengers 2, and the script is, apparently, “incredible.”

If all goes according to plan, Iron Man 3 and Thor 2 will hit in 2013, Captain America 2 and Guardians and the Galaxy will premiere in 2014, and The Avengers 2 will be on the big screen by 2015.